PMRDA’s Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad Development Plan Withdrawn After Legal Pushback
Mumbai/Pune, 17th July 2025: The Maharashtra government has informed the Bombay High Court that it is scrapping the draft development plan prepared by the Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) for Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and surrounding areas. Taking note of the state’s submission, the court has disposed of all related petitions challenging the plan.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne was hearing the matter when Advocate General Birendra Saraf, representing the state, stated that the government had decided to cancel the draft plan. The court acknowledged the development and closed the case.
The court had earlier granted an interim stay on the draft in March 2023 and, in January 2024, restrained the PMRDA and the Metropolitan Planning Committee from acting on the objection notices submitted by the public.
Haste, Lack of Planning Alleged
Petitioners had objected to the draft plan on the grounds that it was hastily released within 15 days and failed to address integrated infrastructure development, sound planning principles, and local-level concerns. Around 67,000 objections and suggestions had been received after the draft plan was published, indicating widespread dissatisfaction.
Background of the Case
Established in 2015, the PMRDA was tasked with planning and improving urban infrastructure in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and adjacent areas. By 2017, the authority initiated work on a development plan for the entire region. The draft plan was formally announced on August 2, 2021.
However, controversy arose over the constitution of the Pune Metropolitan Planning Committee. As per regulations, 30 out of the 45 committee members were supposed to be elected from among local representatives and sarpanches of gram panchayats in the metropolitan region. Despite this, the draft plan was published on July 30, 2021, without appointing the 30 elected members.
Two committee members, Vasant Bhase and Krishna Karke, subsequently moved the High Court, arguing through Advocates Nita Karnik, Amit Awhad, and Suraj Chakor that the plan was invalid as the committee’s opinion had not been duly considered.
